Heart Tip
According to the American Dental Hygienist Association, nearly 75 percent of American adults suffer from periodontal (gum) disease and aren't aware of it. The disease is reversible in its early stages. However, growing evidence has made the medical profession regard the relationship between this disease and life-threatening diseases, such as oral cancer, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory ailments, and premature, low birth weight babies.

Facts and Figures Regarding Life-Threatening Risks:

• Fifty-seven million Americans are affected with cardiovascular disease; A patient with periodontal disease is twice as likely to develop heart disease
• Ninety-five percent of Americans who suffer from diabetes also have periodontal disease
• Expectant mothers with periodontal disease are seven times more likely to deliver premature, low-birthweight babies
• Respiratory conditions are linked to bacteria from periodontal disease that travels from the mouth to the lungs and lower respiratory system

What symptoms to look for:

• red, swollen, or tender gums
• bleeding gums during brushing and flossing
• loose or separating teeth
• tooth loss
• pus around the teeth and gums
• pain when chewing
• a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• a change in the fit of partials or dentures

A regular oral health exam can also detect oral cancer, which is more common than leukemia, skin melanoma, Hodgkin's disease and many types of other cancers. Oral cancer can be treated successfully in its early stages for more than 90 percent of cases. However, if oral cancer goes untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body and can become irreversible to treat. Signs and symptoms that can also be detected during the oral exam include osteoporosis, anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV.

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Better Brushing
To avoid plaque build up, it is important to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums at least twice a day. Remember, each tooth has five surfaces - a front, a back, two sides and a top. The only sure way to prevent dental disease is to clean every surface. It is often helpful to use a disclosing solution to identify areas where plaque is being missed. There are many tooth brushing techniques available and it is best to ask your dentist to advise you of the one that is right for you.

The following instructions can be used as a guide:
Always use a soft toothbrush and begin by placing the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the gum line of your upper teeth. Gently jiggle the brush or move it in tiny circles over the tooth and gum. It is important to spend about 10 seconds on each tooth. Move the brush systematically around the mouth brushing all outside and inside surfaces this way. For the chewing surfaces, use a light back and forth motion.

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Flossing
Flossing your teeth should be done once a day. This helps to remove plaque that builds up between the teeth and under the gum line and cannot be removed by a toothbrush.

Begin by taking about 30 to 45 cm of floss, and winding the ends around the center fingers. Grip the floss firmly with the index finger and thumb.

Guide the floss between the teeth using a gentle sawing motion. Using an up and down motion with the floss curved around the tooth, scrape the sides of the teeth but be careful not to snap the floss onto the gums. Unwind the floss when needed to ensure that a clean piece is used for every tooth. Don't forget to floss between the back teeth as well as the front teeth.

If your gums bleed or feel tender after flossing, do not be alarmed. The gums often take a little time to become accustomed to flossing. However, if the bleeding or soreness lasts for more than a few days, see your dentist.

If your teeth are crowded, you may find it easier to use a Teflon dental ribbon to avoid shredding and breaking of the floss.

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Kid's Oral Care
Early age dental care
It is very important that children brush their teeth three times a day and avoid excessive consumption of soft drinks and sweet foods. If they don't, decay will result which leads to fillings in their teeth and even tooth loss.

Dental health care starts as soon as babies get their first teeth. Babies' teeth should be cleaned with a clean cloth as soon as they show through gums. Parents should avoid putting sweet liquids in baby bottles, especially before bed. If a baby needs a bottle at night only water should be used.

Junior toothpaste is recommended until children begin school and they must rinse the toothpaste off.

A well balanced diet is very important in stopping tooth decay so processed snack foods and soft drinks should be avoided unless children can clean their teeth directly after eating.

And, don't forget to make sure your child has regular dental check-ups.

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The truth about thumbs and dummies
Sucking the thumb or dummy is a normal physiological reflex and it is estimated that more than 90% of children regularly perform non-nutritive sucking. Many studies have shown that babies begin sucking their thumbs during development in-utero (before birth) and this often is shown on the ultrasound.

While this form of sucking is normal, most pediatric dentists and orthodontists recommend that it be discouraged after the age of four years as the forces on the top teeth cause them to be pushed forward and outwards. An open bite (where the upper and lower front teeth cannot meet) can also occur from these habits. This situation is made worse as the tongue tends to fill the gap between upper and lower teeth, and may continue this bad bite.

Thumb and dummy sucking needs to cease well before the appearance of the permanent (adult) teeth. This usually occurs at about six to seven years of age. Scandinavian research has shown that children who suck dummies give up the habit much earlier than children who suck their thumbs. If the habit persists, then orthodontic treatment may be required to correct the position of the teeth.

These habits cause much anxiety for parents and many battles at home between child and parent. However, children will cease the habit when they want to and not when parents ask. Fortunately, peer pressure is helpful, as few children go to school with a dummy. Children should be rewarded for not sucking thumbs or dummies and there are techniques available that can be of assistance in helping the older child cease the habit. Advice from your dentist is always available.

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